Your first year at UAF is the most important year of your college experience.

EDGE hall placement is required for all first-year students who live on campus and are 20 years older and younger.

The EDGE program is for learning, friendship, support and fun.

EDGE has study groups, tutoring, social and academic events, plus staff to help meet the needs of first-year students.

EDGE was designed by students, faculty and staff to prepare you for success in college and beyond!

A great location

Living on campus puts you within walking distance of your classes, labs, the libraries, concerts, art museum, and sports facilities. You will save hours weekly by living on campus - time used to your academic and social advantage.

Moving in

You can move into your residence hall starting at 8 a.m. on the first day of New Student Orientation. This event, Rev-It-Up, is hosted by Residence Life at Moore-Bartlett-Skarland. Representatives from departments across campus will be on hand to get you checked in and help.

Dining options

Get good food at a reasonable price across campus. Meal plans are part of the room-and-board package for students living on campus, but you don’t have to live on campus to get one.

Grab a snack or eat your fill! UAF offers many different locations for your dining pleasure. Wood Center's Dine Forty-nine has several types of fare, including Mongolian grill, homestyle meals, a deli shop, pizza and pasta and a salad bar. At Arctic Java enjoy late-evening service and special programs on the coffee house stage. Other retail options available at the Wood Center are sushi and favorites from the grill.

The Moore-Bartlett-Skarland housing complex has Campus Cache, a convenience store offering pizza, burgers, baked goods and a Subway sandwich shop. West Ridge Cafe in the Arctic Health building offers breakfast items, sandwiches and daily lunch specials. Enjoy bagel sandwiches and sushi at M3 in the Murie Building. The Rasmuson Library 24-hour study area includes the Library Book & Brew, which is convenient for study sessions. Downtown at the Community and Technical College, Polar Perk has a variety of soups and sandwiches.

With multiple locations around campus to enjoy coffee, pastries and other grab and go selections, there is something for everyone. UAF Dining accepts cash, check, Munch Money, Bear Bucks and credit cards. View a map of all dining locations (PDF).

Meal plans

PolarExpress card

The PolarExpress card is more than your official identification card. It’s your library card and meal plan card. It’s the key to your residence hall, labs and the Student Recreation Center. Use it to buy goods and services at university locations such as vending and copying machines. It gets you into student events and the health center. It also lets you ride the city bus for free and gives you discounts at various vendors throughout the Fairbanks area. You don’t have to renew your card as long as you’re in active status, but there is a replacement fee for lost or stolen cards. You’ll get your PolarExpress card at New Student Orientation, or you can pick it up from the Bursar’s Office on the first floor of Signers’ Hall.